Retired Numbers

Walter Brown - No. 1 - (Number retired October 17, 1964)

The founder and first owner of the Boston Celtics franchise...Owned the Celtics from 1946 through 1964...Passed away after suffering a heart attack at his Cape Cod house on September 7, 1964...Born on February 10, 1905...Also was the owner of the Boston Garden-Arena Corporation, and President of the Boston Bruins hockey team...was instrumental in the creation of the first NBA All-Star Game in 1951, which was played in the Boston Garden.

Arnold 'Red' Auerbach - No. 2 - (Number retired January 4, 1985)

The number signifies the fact that Auerbach is second only to Walter Brown as the most significant person in the history of the Boston Celtics organization...Was Head Coach of the team from 1950-51 through 1965-66, winning nine NBA world championship titles, that included eight straight from 1958-59 through 1965-66...He went on to serve as President and General Manager, leading the Celtics to an additional seven NBA championships...Named NBA Coach of the Year in 1965...Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968...Named the NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time team coach in 1970...NBA Executive of the Year in 1980...Was selected as the "Greatest Coach in the History of the NBA" by the Professional Basketball Writers' Association of America in 1980...Was named one of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA history in 1996...passed away on October 28, 2006.

Dennis Johnson - No. 3 - (Number retired December 13, 1991)

"DJ" played for the Celtics for seven seasons, from 1983 through 1990...He helped lead the Celtics to a pair of NBA world championship titles in 1984 and 1986...Was also a member of the Seattle SuperSonics world championship team in 1979, and earned Most Valuable Player honors that year in post-season play...Was named to the All-NBA second team in 1980...Was named an All-NBA first team member in 1981...Was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team five consecutive seasons (1978-79 through 1982-83) and again in 1987...Was named to the NBA All-Defensive second team three straight years (1984, 1985, 1986)...Was a five-time NBA All-Star 1979-82 and 1985...Was an Assistant Coach for the Celtics from 1992-93 through 1996-97...Passed away on February 23, 2007.

Bill Russell - No. 6 - (Number retired March 12, 1972)

Regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Russell anchored the Celtics teams that won nine, eight in succession, NBA world championship titles in 1957 and from 1959 through 1966, and two more in consecutive seasons in 1968 and 1969...A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965)...A 12-time NBA All-Star in his 13-year career, missing the team in his rookie year (1956-57)...Was the 1963 NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player...Is the Celtics all-time leading rebounder with 21,620 rebounds (an average of 22.5 per game), and led the NBA four times in this department...Was on the All-NBA first team in 1959, 1963 and 1965, and the NBA All-Defensive first team in 1969...Named to the NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1970; 35th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1980 and One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996...Was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975...Declared the Greatest Player in the History of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers' Association of America in 1980...Was Head Coach of the Celtics for three seasons, 1966-67 through 1968-69, finishing with a record of 162-83 (.661) and two world championship titles in 1968 and 1969.

JoJo White - No. 10 - (Number retired April 9, 1982)

JoJo White was the point guard who led the Celtics offense and propelled the 1974 and 1976 teams to NBA World Championship titles...Was a member of the gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic Team in 1968...Played for the Green and White from 1969-70 to the 1978-79 season...Named to the 1970 NBA All-Rookie team...Named to the All-NBA second team in both 1975 and 1977...Was a seven-time NBA All-Star...Was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 1976, which featured him playing 60 minutes in the famous triple-overtime Game 5, 128-126 triumph, over the Phoenix Suns at the Boston Garden.

Bob Cousy - No. 14 - (Number retired October 16, 1963)

One of the greatest playmakers and passers in NBA history, Cousy spent all 13 NBA seasons with the Celtics...Nicknamed "Cooz" and "The Houdini of the Hardwood"...Helped lead the Green and White to six NBA world championship titles in 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1963...Was the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1957...Was a 10-time All-NBA First Team selection (1952 through 1961)...Was a 13-time NBA All-Star (tied with John Havlicek for the most in Celtics history)...Was the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1954 and 1957...Named to the NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1970, 35th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1980 and One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971...Is the Celtics all-time assists leader with 6,945.

Tom Heinsohn - No. 15 - (Number retired October 15, 1966)

Tommy was chosen as the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1957...He helped the Celtics capture eight NBA world championship titles (1957 and 1959 through 1965) in his nine-year playing career, all with the Celtics...Was Head Coach of the Celtics for nine years from 1969-70 through 1977-78, and guided the Celtics to two more NBA titles in 1974 and 1976...Was the NBA Coach of the Year in 1973...Was a six-time NBA All-Star (1957 and 1961 through 1965)...Was an All-NBA second team member four times (1961 through 1964)...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986.

Tom "Satch" Sanders - No. 16 - (Number retired January, 1973)

"Satch" played 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics...Helped to lead the Green and White to eight NBA world championship titles from 1960-61 through 1965-66 and again in 1967-68 and 1968-69...Named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1968-69...Ranks sixth all-time in Celtics history in Games Played with 916, 7th in rebounds with 5,798 and 10th in Minutes Played with 22,164...Was Head Coach of the Celtics for part of the 1977-78 season and the 1978-79 campaign...Receiverd the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame John Bunn Award in September of 2007.

John Havlicek - No. 17 - (Number retired October 13, 1978)

Played 16 NBA seasons, all with the Celtics...Helped to lead the Green and White to eight NBA world championship titles from 1963 through 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974 and 1976...Was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 1974...Named to the All-NBA First Team four times from 1971 through 1974...A seven-time All-NBA Second Team member in 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1975 and 1976...Was NBA All-Defensive First Team for five consecutive seasons, 1972 through 1976...Was NBA All-Defensive Second Team for three straight seasons, 1969 through 1971...13-time NBA All-Star (tied for the most in Celtics history with Bob Cousy)...Was on the 1962-63 NBA All-Rookie Team...Named to the NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1980 and One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984...Is the Celtics all-time leader in the following statistical categories: Games Played with 1,270; Field Goals Made with 10,513; Field Goals Attempted with 23,930; Minutes Played with 46,471; Points with 26,395; Free Throws Attempted with 6,589; Free Throws Made with 5,369 and Personal Fouls with 3,281...Is second, to Cousy, all-time in Assists with 6,114.

Dave Cowens - No. 18 - (Number retired February 8, 1981)

Played for the Celtics from 1970-71 through 1979-80 season...Was the NBA co-Rookie of the Year in 1971...Was on the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1971...Was the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1973...Helped to lead the Celtics to two NBA world championship titles in 1974 and 1976...Was an All-NBA second team member in 1973, 1975 and 1976...Was NBA All-Defensive first team in 1976...Was NBA All-Defensive second team in 1975 and 1980...Seven-time NBA All-Star from 1972 through 1978...Was the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1973...One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990...Was Head Coach of the Celtics for part of the 1978-79 season...Is third, behind Bill Russell and Robert Parish, on the Celtics all-time Rebounds list with 10,170.

Don Nelson - No. 19

"Nellie" was an 11-year veteran of the Celtics, playing for the Green and White from 1965-66 through 1975-76...He helped to lead the Celtics to five NBA world championship titles in 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974 and 1976...Was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1983, 1985 and 1992...Named One of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History in 1996...Ranks 8th all-time in Celtics history in Games Played with 872, and 10th in Rebounds with 4,517.

Bill Sharman - No. 21 - (Number retired October 15, 1966)

Played ten seasons with the Celtics, from 1951-52 through 1960-61, and helped lead the Green and White to four NBA world championship titles in 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1961...Was on the All-NBA first team four consecutive seasons, from 1956 through 1959...Was on the All-NBA second team in 1953, 1955 and 1960...8-time NBA All-Star, from 1953 through 1960...Was the 1955 NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player...Named to the NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time team in 1970 and One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996...Was NBA Coach of the Year in 1972...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of fame in 1976...Is the #1 Free Throw Percentage shooter in Celtics history at .911 (370-for-406).

Ed Macauley - No. 22 - (Number retired October 16, 1963)

"Easy Ed" was one of the Celtics first superstars...Was a member of the Celtics for six seasons, from 1950-51 through 1955-56...Was on the All-NBA first team in 1951, 1952 and 1953...Was on the All-NBA second team in 1954...6-time NBA All-Star...Was the 1951 NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player - in the first ever All-Star Game, which was played at the Boston Garden on March 2, 1951...Elected to the Naismith Memorial basketball Hall of Fame in 1960.

Frank Ramsey - No. 23

The "Kentucky Colonel" played nine seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics...He revolutionized basketball by becoming the Celtics original "sixth man"...He helped lead the Green and White to seven NBA world championship titles in 1956-57 and from 1958-59 through 1963-64...Led the Celtics in games played in 1958-59 and in 1960-61...Led the team in Free Throws Made in 1957-58...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1981.

Sam Jones - No. 24 - (number retired March 9, 1969)

Sam was named, "Mr. Clutch" by his teammates and peers for his consistent and all-around skills...Played 12 seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics, from 1957-58 through 1968-69...Helped lead the Green and White to 10 NBA world championship titles in 1959, 1960 through 1966, 1968 and 1969...Named to the All-NBA second team from 1965 through 1967...Was named to the NBA's 25th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1970 and One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996...Was a five-time NBA All-Star...Currently ranks as the 6th all-time leading scorer in Celtics history with 15,411 points and 9th in both Games Played with 871 and Minutes Played with 24,285...Led the Celtics in scoring three seasons, 1962-63, 1964-65 and 1965-66...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.

K.C. Jones - No. 25 - (Number retired February 12, 1967)

Played 9 seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics, from 1958-59 through 1966-67...Helped lead the Green and White to 8 straight NBA world championship titles from 1959 through 1967...He led the Celtics in Assists for three consecutive seasons, 1963-64 through 1965-66, and currently ranks 7th all-time in Celtics history in this category with 2,904 career assists...After retiring as a player in 1967, he later went on to coach the Celtics from 1983-84 to 1987-88, guiding the Celtics to two NBA World Championships in 1984 and 1986...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989.

Cedric Maxwell - No. 31 - (Number retired December 15, 2003)

Cedric Maxwell, affectionately know to his teammates and friends as, "Max", became the 22nd and most recent Celtics great to have his number retired...Also nicknamed "Cornbread"... Cedric, Boston's top pick (the 12th pick overall) in the 1977 NBA Draft (from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte), played eight seasons for the Celtics, from 1977 through 1985... in 1979 and 1980, he led the NBA in field goal percentage... in 1978-79, "Max" shot 58.4% from the field and in 1979-80, he shot a blistering 60.9% from the floor... he helped lead the Celtics to the NBA World Championship title in 1981 and 1984... in 1981, he was named the NBA Playoff Most Valuable Player... he is the Celtics all-time leader in field goal shooting percentage, shooting an incredible 55.9% (2,786-for-4,984) from the floor.

Kevin McHale - No. 32 - (Number retired January 30, 1994)

Played 13 seasons in the NBA, all the with Celtics, from 1980-81 through 1992-93...Helped lead the Green and White to three NBA world championship titles in 1981, 1984 and 1986...Was an All-Rookie team member in 1981...Was All-NBA first team in 1987...Was the NBA's Sixth Man award winner in 1984 and 1985...Was a seven-time NBA All-Star...Was NBA All-Defensive first team member three straight seasons from 1986 through 1988...Was NBA All-Defensive second team in in 1983, 1989 and 1990...Was named One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996...Currently ranks 3rd in Games Played all-time in Celtics history with 971; 4th in Points with 17,335 and 6th in both Rebounds with 7,122 and Minutes Played with 30,118...Led the team in scoring and Minutes played in 1988-89...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Larry Bird - No. 33 - (Number retired February 4, 1993)

Played 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics, from 1979-80 through 1991-92...Helped to lead the Celtics to three NBA world championship titles in 1981, 1984 and 1986...Was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 1984 and 1986...Was the NBA Most Valuable Player for three consecutive seasons from 1984 through 1986...Was the 1980 NBA Rookie of the Year...Was NBA All-Rookie team member in 1980...Was a All-NBA first team member nine straight seasons from 1980 through 1988...Was All-NBA second team in 1990... Was NBA All-Defensive second team three straight years from 1982 through 1984...Was a 12-time NBA All-Star and was the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1982...Was the NBA All-Star Game Long Distance Shootout winner three consecutive years 1986, 1987 and 1988...Was named One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996...Led the Celtics in minutes played and points eight seasons, including seven straight from 1979-80 through 1985-86...Currently ranks 2nd in all-time Celtics history in Points (behind John Havlicek) with 21,791 and 3rd in Assists (behind Bob Cousy and Havlicek) with 5,695...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.

Reggie Lewis - No. 35 - (Number retired March 22, 1995)

Played six seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics, from 1987-88 through 1992-93...Was a quiet yet well-respected leader...Started 352 career games...Was an NBA All-Star in 1992...Was named the NBA Player of the Week on April 13, 1992...Was the team captain in 1992-93...Led the team in Minutes Played and Points three consecutive seasons from 1990-91 through 1992-93...Is the only player in Celtics history to have 100 rebounds, 100 assists, 100 steals and 100 blocked shots in a season - 1991-92 (394 rebounds, 185 assists, 125 steals and 105 blocks)...Passed away on July 27, 1993.

Robert Parish - No. 00 - (Number retired January 18, 1998)

"The Chief" played 21 seasons in the NBA - the career record for most seasons played by an NBA player - and 14 with the Green and White, from 1980-81 through 1993-94...Holds the NBA record for most games played with 1,611...Helped to lead the Celtics to three NBA world championship titles in 1981, 1984 and 1986...Was All-NBA second team in 1982...Was All-NBA third team in 1989...Was a nine-time NBA All-Star, including seven consecutive seasons from 1981 through 1987 and also in 1990 and 1991...Teamed with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale to form one of the greatest front lines in NBA history...Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996...Led the Celtics in rebounding eight years...Currently ranks 2nd (behind John Havlicek) all-time in Celtics history in games played with 1,106; 2nd in Rebounds (behind Bill Russell) 11,051 and 3rd in both Minutes Played with 34,977 and Points with 18,245...Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Jim Loscutoff - LOSCY

"Loscy" was a hard-nosed standout for the Celtics, playing all nine NBA seasons with the Green and White...Helped lead the Celtics to seven NBA world championship titles, including six straight from 1958 through 1963-64...Had, perhaps, his best season in 1956-57 in helping lead the Celtics to their first title, by averaging 10.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game...He asked that his jersey number (#18) not be retired so that a future Celtic could wear it - the number 18 was later retired in honor of Dave Cowens.